A dominating pitching performance by Max Russell powered the top-ranked Moccasins to their 10th straight win, a 7-0 decision over Eckerd Friday night at Henley Field.
Russell fired a complete-game, four-hit shutout to boost his record to 6-0. He struck out a career-high 14 and the only walk he allowed came with two outs in the ninth inning. The sophomore lefthander did not allow a hit after the fourth inning. He had at least one strikeout in every inning but one and struck out the side twice.
The win, the Moccasins' 19th without a loss at home this season, boosted their record to 29-5, 9-1 in the Sunshine State Conference. Eckerd dropped to 17-18, 2-8 in the SSC.
Nick Stanley's RBI-double in the third gave Russell the only run he needed. Will Cherry followed with an RBI-single.
Colin Kish doubled to start the fourth and later scored on a double play. The Moccasins broke the game open with a four-run seventh. Wade Kirkland led off the inning with a solo homer, his fifth of the season. Stanley, Zach Maggard and Kish drove in the other three runs in the inning.
Stanley and Kish each had three hits in the game. Cherry had two to take over the team batting lead at .358. He's batting .543 in the Moccasins' 10 SSC games.
The Moccasins and Tritons will play a doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m. at Henley Field.
